You couldn't move for famous managerial faces at this week's UEFA Pro-Licence and FA Coaching Diploma in Warwick. Leicester City manager Micky Adams found time to tell TheFA.com how the diploma will change his style...

The piercing blue eyes and determined, jutting jawline, give Leicester City manager Micky Adams the air of someone not to be messed with.

His record at Fulham, Brighton, Brentford and Leicester - often in difficult circumstances - mark him out as a winner, possessing strong qualities Leicester will need this season if they are to stay in the Premiership.

However, top managers aren't made by blood and thunder alone and it was a more reflective Adams that sat down with TheFA.com after attending The FA Coaching Diploma and 2003 UEFA Pro-License courses last week.

There were a number of well-known names at the Warwick University venue. Besides Adams, there were other Premiership bosses David O'Leary, Steve Bruce, Steve McClaren and Peter Reid. Stuart Pearce, Nigel Worthington, Nigel Spackman and Wales manager Mark Hughes were also there. Why, even Thailand manager Peter Withe had flown in from Bangkok to help learn more about the skills of coaching and management.

"The one thing I have learned from taking the diploma is empathy," admits Adams.

"You have to be hard as a manager but this course has made me realise that my opinion isn't the only one in the world. It is important to try and listen to others. Their point of view is valid as well.

"I hope it will be a softer Micky Adams in the Premiership next season. You can be blinkered in football and it's good to realise that everyone has things to learn. There are probably occasions in the past where I have dealt with people the wrong way."

The UEFA Pro License is now the mandatory qualification in all the major footballing nations. It deals with the whole range of skills needed by the modern-day manager; including fitness and conditioning, finance and agents, time management and the importance of youth development.

Former Arsenal and England coach Don Howe, Bayern Munich's director of youth development Werner Kern and Australian Olympic hockey coach Rick Charlesworth were among the keynote speakers.

Adams is already rated one of the best young managers in the game. The way he led Leicester to promotion last season while the club's administration prevented him from making any new signings drew widespread acclaim.

But he says there is a lot more to managing and coaching than thumping your chest and shouting.

"Of course, that isn't enough to be a good manager. You need to be aware of new ideas, tactics, how to deal with people.

"The Micky Adams way to be successful is to work hard and be organised. That is what I want my teams to be next season in the Premiership, the same as I would if I was preparing for the Third Division.

"I think if you work hard and are organised, you can do most things on a football pitch including creating and scoring goals."

The sweaty faces when the managers came off the training field, watched closely by England under-20 manager Les Reed and coaching legend Don Howe, told its own story.

This was proper hard work but Adams says the benefits of managers getting to know each other are invaluable.

"A lot of times you stand next to a manager at a match and shake their hands - but you don't really know them. Going to a Diploma course like this means you get to chat to people properly. We speak football on the training ground and then late into the night in the bar!

"There are a couple of other managers I would now feel confident of picking up the phone to, who I didn't know before. I am sure there were a couple of transfer deals going on as well - judging by the amount of time some spent on their mobiles!"

Talking of transfer dealings, Adams has been busy this summer signing youth - Brighton winger Paul Brooker - and experience in Manchester City defender Steve Howey.

"Proven Premiership experience is important for us at the moment - in this game you always need a contingency plan."

Another piece of wisdom from a guy taking his managerial responsibilities seriously

Micky Adams was speaking to Joe Bernstein

2003 UEFA Pro Licence intake:
Mark Bowen (Birmingham City), Paul Bracewell (The FA), John Carver (Newcastle), Stephan Constantine (India Football Association), Kevin Dillon (Reading), Iain Dowie (Oldham), Wally Downes (Brentford), David Geddis (Newcastle), Joe Jordan, Nicky Law (Bradford), Brian Laws (Scunthorpe), Neil McDonald (Bolton), Richard Money (Aik Solna), Tony Mowbray (Ipswich), Sean O'Driscoll (Bournemouth), John Peacock (The FA), Geoff Pike (PFA), Steve Round (Middlesbrough), Kevin Sheedy (Hartlepool), Paul Simpson, Steve Walford (Celtic), Mark Hughes (Welsh FA)

2003 FA Coaching Diploma intake:
Micky Adams (Leicester), Keith Alexander (Lincoln), Kevan Broadhurst (Northampton), Steve Bruce (Birmingham), Chris Coleman (Fulham), Andy Hessenthaler (Gillingham), Glynn Hodges (Barnsley), Ian Holloway (QPR), Paul Jewell (Wigan), Andy King (Swindon), Gary McAllister (Coventry), Steve McClaren (and Pro-License, Middlesbrough), Gary Megson (West Brom), Ronnie Moore (Rotherham), Mike Newell (Luton), Rob Newman (Southend), David O'Leary (Aston Villa), Andrew Preece (Bury), Peter Reid (Leeds), Michael Tait (Darlington)

To find out more about the courses The FA has to offer, click here to visit our FA Learning section